Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Piaggio USB: One for the pizza delivery boy

The Piaggio USB has been designed for 'urban mobility' in 'the cities of the future'

Piaggio have unveiled their Urban Sport Bike (USB) concept at the ongoing EICMA Show in Italy. The prototype vehicle has been designed with multiple configurations in mind – single-seater, two-seater and with a top box for carrying stuff.

The USB’s series hybrid powerplant incorporates a small two-stroke IC engine and an electric motor that’s fed by lithium-polymer batteries. With total torque output of 200Nm (!!), the 130-kilo USB has a ‘cruising’ speed of 60km/h and a top speed of 100km/h. Range, in electric-only mode, is 50km.

Expect your local pizza delivery guy to start using one of these things in the next 2-3 years.